A Tale of Two Magazines, Part 2

This late springtime brought another couple of wargame magazines: Battles # 10 and Paper Wars #82. Both offered an interesting contrast, so I thought I’d just give my two cents on the matter.

First, Battles Magazine….. What can be said about this chronically late, but always superb publication form Oliver Revenu. Presentation is professional to the core; graphics invites the reader into each article. (I wasn’t intending to read the article on Pax Porfiriana, but after gazing at the two pages of cards, well, it just sucked me in…) Excellent review by the likes of Luc Oliver and John Burtt, and op ed bits by Vasey and Sabin make this a magazine well-worth acquiring whenever it makes an appearance. Oh yeah, there’s also a game. I’ve enjoyed the games and look forward to them with each issue, but this is definitely a magazine that happens to include a game. I can’t remember how much I paid for issue ten, but it was less than $50 with shipping (130 pages plus game). (I just checked, with current exchange rates it’s less than $38 with postage to the USA)

Paper Wars #82 landed in my post office box last week. I have not seen a copy of this magazine since Burtt was editor. Wow, it has changed. Glossy, full color cover-to-cover and nicely laid out (no wasted space). Yes, a lot of articles and “ads” for Conflict Games, but many other publishers are represented. Oh yes, there is a game…. Now the sole reason I bought this magazine was Gilbert Collins’ excellent video on the game in question: Newberg’s “I Will Fight No More Forever.” While the few articles in the magazine are well-written (in fact, at least one article made me rush to the computer and order a copy of the game…. How’s that!), the game definitely dominates this issue (It rules and notes take up 15 of the 55 pages, two counter sheets and two maps). At $47 plus postage, you’d have to really want this game to pay the full cost of the magazine. One thing that is very different from Battles is that you can just buy a copy of the zine without the game.

So there you have it; a magazine with a game and a game with a magazine. Both are very attractive publications and are thoroughly professional. Both are worth a look.